Pacific Bluefin Fish Fetches Historic Bid of $3.2m at Japanese Capital New Year Sale

A massive Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's first auction of the new year.

The winning offer for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the parent firm of a well-known sushi restaurant group, which operates restaurants throughout Japan and abroad.

"The first tuna signals fortune," remarked the company president, a notable participant at the yearly January sale.

Known as the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is renowned for making substantial bids for premium bluefin tuna at these auspicious new year auctions.

Auction Shock and Historic Precedent

After the auction, the winner informed the press that he was "astonished at the amount," noting, "I believed we would be able to acquire it a little at a lower price, but the price soared before you knew it."

This latest acquisition surpasses his previous historic purchases:

• He paid 56.5 million yen away in 2012.
• He spent 155 million yen a year later.
• In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m).

Despite once saying that he thought he "did too much," he has now proceeded to surpass his own record another time.

A Tradition of High Prices

The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously known for sky-high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was acquired for 207 million yen by a separate sushi chain operator, which indicated the fish would be featured at its locations across Japan.

The intense atmosphere at the fish market during these pre-sunrise auctions has transformed into a must-see spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different.

Immediate Consumption

The extremely valuable tuna was quickly prepared for patrons at the bidder's sushi chains soon after the auction ended.

"I believe like I've started the year in a auspicious way after tasting something so lucky as the year starts," shared one satisfied customer.